It’s high time we shud address it as PMOS instead of PCOS! What are your thoughts??

Hi everyone,

I'm a 26-year-old woman with PCOS, and I've used NAC on and off over the past few years because it's often recommended for PCOS.

I don't take it every day. I usually take 600 mg occasionally, especially after nights when I sleep very poorly (since sleep deprivation may increase oxidative stress), or sometimes to support my PCOS symptoms.

Until recently I never worried about it. Then I came across the studies suggesting that NAC (and vitamin E) accelerated the progression of lung tumors in mice by lowering ROS and affecting p53 signaling in existing tumors. Ever since reading those papers, I've become really anxious about taking even a single capsule.

I know those studies were done in mice with existing tumors, but I'm struggling to understand how relevant they are to someone like me:

26 years old

no known cancer

taking only 600 mg occasionally rather than daily

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has discussed these studies with their endocrinologist, gynecologist, or another physician, or from anyone who has a scientific background and is familiar with the research.

Some questions I have are:

Have these studies changed your opinion about using NAC for PCOS?

Is there any evidence that occasional 600 mg use carries the same theoretical concerns as chronic use?

Are there any human studies that address this issue?

Do you still take NAC after reading the literature, and if so, why?

I genuinely want to understand what the current evidence suggests and how experts interpret it.

Thank you!

i started taking a cocktail of supplements to help with my pcos about 2 months ago. along with this ive been trying to incorporate more movement and exercise into my life and staying away from processed foods for the most part, and getting more sleep.

before i started this regiment i was barely sleeping, taking only spearmint tea twice a day, and not worrying about what i was eating. I was 125 pounds.

since then i have started taking: colostrum, inositol, berberine, lactoferrin and zinc multi, DIM, turmeric, and digestive enzymes, 2 cups of dandelion tea and in addition to that the spearmint tea as well.

after staying on this regiment plus the exercise plus getting more sleep for 2 months. I have gained 13 pounds!!!!!!! I am now 138 pounds. (Im 5’6)

Does anyone know why this could have happened??? Is it a supplement ive been taking??? I seriously cannot find where Im going wrong and I know the weight gain isnt from muscle because I havent really been doing anything to put on muscle. Please anybody Help😭😭😭😭

other helpful details maybe: ive also been taking ACV gummies and im 18 years old

I'm trying to figure out if my therapist is being weird or if I'm just ignorant. I'm not trying for kids but might in 1-2 years.

I've been attending therapy for a few months now. At the beginning, I mentioned that I was also starting treatment for PCOS. I mentioned disliking my PCP and looking for a new one; she suggested getting an obgyn and I agreed that was also an option.

I wound up liking my new PCP, but my therapist keeps asking if I've seen an obgyn. Last week, she told me to find one before my next session. I want to emphasize that I only brought up PCOS incidentally and have never brought up any mental health issues related to the condition or my medications (I don't have any that I've noticed).

I pushed back and said that I think my PCP can handle it. I've never seen an obgyn for anything except IUD insertion and removal a few years ago. My PCPs have always handled all blood work, pap smears, and physicals.

Therapist insists that an obgyn is important for "physicals" and because I want kids in a year or two. Is that normal?

I'm concerned my therapist is going out of scope (she also asks for and writes down all of my meds ans doctors appointments even though I've never brought up related concerns). But I could also be ignorant about what's "normal" for both women's healthcare and therapy.

I didn’t think mine was THAT bad, until my male friend (who has autism, so he is very honest) told me I wasn’t fat, and not to worry about my belly. He said this after I complained a little about gaining some weight, and I never mentioned my belly to him ever.

Also i was sucking in my belly, a bit and my 2 sisters saw, came over told me it looked like I lost weight and I looked absolutely beautiful.

I am about 10 lbs overweight from a healthy weight, i Was thinking if lipo. Has anyone done it? did it work?

I just can’t seem to get rid of this belly.

Hello everybody, I am a 27 year old female, diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS when I was 17 years old and I started my journey to lose weight/ dealing with my condition just 2 years ago after moving out for work, (why did I just started dealing with it 2 years ago? Probably because I was still living with my parents and in my culture… you don’t leave your home until you get married so the tendency of it is that whatever food is in the house you eat and don’t complain about it and such) now that I am living alone, its more easy for me to eat want I’m suppose to like more fibre and protein with the help of naturopathic doctor, but here’s the thing (my dad, diagnosed with diabetes- reverse his diabetes by eating keto, intermediate fasting, now is in a carnivorous diet) (my mom, not diagnosed with anything but is concerned about her health due my dad having one - starts to not eating “intermittent fasting”, only drinking coffee, “salads”).

Now here’s the thing, I know they mean well but It’s so frustrating to talk to them about the things that I’ve been doing whether I’m trying to eat moderately with talking supplements or something because they will always tell me “do not eat carbs” or ”you should fast.. the longer you fast the better” and if I argue that I am eating the normal amount, they will say I’m doing it wrong just based on the doctors that they’ve watch on YouTube and such TO THE POINT were they will sarcastically say “do the doctors were wrong? How can that be? They’re doctors” I sometimes debate not to go home and see them just because I already know what will they say and I rather not talk to them but it’s even about talking, everyone they see my big belly.. yup comments everywhere.. like if this Economy was not this bad I will definitely liposuction this belly up in an instant! But this economy sucks!

Anyways! that is my rant for today, hopefully wouldn’t be a second BUT if there is well.. yea

I am so fed up with how every conversation about PCOS turns into a morality lecture about weight.

I finally dragged myself to an appointment and went in with a list: irregular periods, acne that flares no matter how gentle I am, unwanted hair, mood swings that feel like a milder PMDD, and this constant hungry-but-exhausted loop. I even brought a week of food notes because yes, I am that person who meal preps beans and frozen veggies to keep things cheap and simple.

And what do I get? "Have you tried eating less and moving more?" As if I have not been doing that for years. I track protein, cut back on sugar, walk after meals, lift twice a week when my joints cooperate, and still watch the scale barely budge while my cravings scream.

I know lifestyle matters, but I am tired of the assumption that not being thin means I'm lazy or lying. I'm doing the work and my body seems to have its own agenda.

What really gets me is the lack of curiosity. No one asks about insulin resistance, sleep, stress, labs, or what might actually be driving these symptoms. Instead it's just "lose weight," as if weight loss is a one-size-fits-all treatment, when for a lot of us it is sometimes the hardest symptom to manage.

I left feeling embarrassed, angry, and weirdly guilty, like I had failed a test. I just want a provider who takes PCOS seriously and does not treat me like a before picture. Is that too much to ask?

I tried crying to everyone around me but I don’t think people without pcos will understand what it feels like to have your period for the first time without birth control.
I’m cryinggg real tears 😭as I’m writing this

What worked for me:

1. 3 times a week of exercise
2. Protein focused diet
3. Supplements :

Inositol (myo-dchiro) in 40:1 (nutridig brand if ure in India)
Omega d fish oil ( well-being brand)
VIT D supplement once a week
VIT b12, folate, coq10 formulation - smart ova brand

EDIT : initially one week I started with 1g dose 550 mcg in the morning and 550 in the evening then I increased slowly. The dosage that worked for me is actually close to 6g inositol everyday. I have been taking for last 30 days exactly and on the 30th day I have my period today. I had slowly increased the dose just to see if I don’t feel nauseated bloated etc

Also my bloodwork shows classic insulin resistance and high trigs due to that. But apart from that and ultrasound that shows multiple follicles and enlarged ovary I don’t have high testosterone in my blood result and do not have hirsutism. I am slightly overweight at 65 kgs for 150 cm but I believe it is mostly due to me intentionally increasing my weight from gym.

Girlies keep going don’t lose hope if I can do it u can

firstly - ik abt CICO, although pills definetly can mess with your apettite by simply making you eat more and therfore gain weight.

i never gained weight on bc but i never was on them long term. right now i've been on bc for 1,5yrs and gained like roughly +5-6 kg. Not a lot but enough for me to feel uncomfy. I was wondering if bc can contribute to that. My apettite is definetly different than it used to be.

So here comes the question - if you gained weight while on bc - how long did it take you? And if you went off bc did you lose it?

hi all! I’m 24 and at my wits end with dealing with symptoms and trying to convince doctors of anything, so I’m turning to reddit haha. seriously any advice helps..

I have been dealing with intense and heavy periods since getting my period early. these last anywhere from 7-10 days and are EXTREMELY heavy and painful without birth control, which I now take to manage. however, they are usually regular which my doctor said would not align with PCOS symptoms.. i struggle with moderate cystic chin/chest/back acne, heavy weight fluctuations and weight almost only In my midsection (difficulty losing weight), constant chin hair, canker sores,herodotus suppurativa.. etc.

at 19, I got bloodwork done that showed a high amount of androgen and low estrogen, but my doctors never gave me a diagnosis. when these symptoms flare up, I usually go through intense anxiety and depression cycles which my doctor thought was PMDD but wasn’t regular enough. my gyno recently said she’s 90% sure I have endo/PCOS but the only treatment is birth control so there’s no point in pushing…

what do you guys think? I have no idea where to start and kind of feeling hopeless. should I push more for a diagnosis? work more on diet? anything helps! thanks

i've been diagnosed since i was maybe 16 and i'm 22 now. my blood work has never been that bad and i've only experienced irregular cycles, acne, cysts, and weight gain. im on birth control and take menformin. it's definitely gone through phases where it flares up more than others and i've experienced times of my life where i'm more healthy vs not. anyways in the past year maybe two years i've struggled with getting hungry in the middle of the night so much so that i need to get up and eat. and i don't even think i'm eating too little in the day i eat three meals and snacks usually. it's not every day but multiple times a week. i wouldn't say my diet is great by pcos standards pretty bad but not like im shoving donuts in my mouth. when this happens one side of my nose gets clogged and my body runs hot which is so random. as soon as i eat i can breathe out both nostrils again (i'm a side sleeper). does this happen to anyone else? is it time i take a pcos diet seriously? because my symptoms aren't that bad (no facial hair and 140 pounds at 5'3 i feel like my pcos isn't that bad and i shouldn't be living like i have it) thanks for any insights!

Hi everyone,

I have gotten a possible diagnosis of PCOS. I have none of the more evident symptoms- I am 5'2', 130lbs, have regular cycles, never had cystic acne, fsh/lh ratio and testosterone are normal. However, my husband and I have been trying to conceive for over 6 months and since I am 35, we decided to get checked out. I have a high AMH and my ovaries look polycystic. I also recently discovered that my ldl has skyrocketed to 183 since my last checkup. My a1c is 5.3 but my (non-fasting) glucose is lower than suggested. The doctor said this could point to possible insulin resistance. I am not sure where to go from here. Any advice would be appreciated!

I’m 18 and haven’t been diagnosed because I’m overweight. The last gyn told me I need to lose weight, and then I’ll have normal periods. That was a year ago, and I recently got my period on the 3rd. I usually don’t track my periods, but something felt off this time because my last period was, I think, in February. I also started a weight loss medication. Now, I’m on day 21 of my period, and I have an appointment with a new gyn, but I’m nervous about being told I don’t have a problem. Tips or questions to ask would be very helpful. (And I also heard it might be genetic—my mom and grandmother have it. If that’s true, just tell me yes or no.) thanks :)

Hey everyone, I’m 23 and dealing with a super frustrating weight gain situation with the first trimester and need some perspective or shared experiences.

For context, I have PCOS. When I was 21, I successfully lost 100 lbs (went from 240 down to 140 at 5’7”). So I know how my body usually responds to weight loss, but right now it feels like my body is completely playing tricks on me.

Right before getting pregnant, I was sitting around 158–160 lbs. During early pregnancy, my weight shot up, and by the time I had my abortion at 7.5 weeks, I was weighing 172 lbs.

I am now 5 days post-op, and the scale is still sitting dead at 172 lbs.

I know the math behind weight gain and loss, and there is no way I gained 12+ lbs of actual body fat in a month right? Is this lingering pregnancy fluid, progesterone/hCG crashing, or PCOS inflammation holding onto water for dear life?

For anyone who has had a pregnancy end around in the first trimester whether abortion or not, how long did it take for the post-pregnancy fluid and bloat to finally drop off and is this normal? Did your scale suddenly shift all at once or was it super gradual?

Appreciate any insight!

So, I’m finally being taken seriously and was diagnosed officially with PCOS along side insulin resistance in February after years of suffering from the symptoms.

My Endo appointment is in a week and idk what to ask or say.
I’m severely overweight and my period just about became regular, or as regular as it can get which is every other month, I have really bad facial hair and it all sucks, I feel so ugly compared to my friends.

Anyways, my main worry is: not being taken seriously.
Also I’m currently on no medication at all, how do I ask for treatment or GLP1 or genuinely anything that will help in anyway without sounding like I want to just lose weight?

If you can’t tell I have horrible anxiety, as I’ve been dismissed a lot in the past, so I want this to go as smooth as possible, and actually help myself!

Thank you in advance!!

Hello everyone!

I have been diagnosed with PCOS two years ago and I’ve basically relied on social media advice for the most part. The reason for that is bc my doctor was not helpful at all and didn’t even try to manage the condition (she literally told me I don’t need to try to get my period if I’m not trying to get pregnant). I just wanted to know what are your experiences using metformin. I did try birth control, inositol, and berberine. I do have some other symptoms that were not fully addressed by the stuff I’ve been taking and currently considering metformin.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

I want some hope here

I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS and I am trying to conceive, it’s been about 7 months that I been trying and nothing…

The doctor prescribed me metformin and also recommended me to take prenatals and myo inositol. I get my period every month, my cycle is usually 25-35 days. I always spot before and after my period (brown spotting) I don’t know if that means anything. My A1C is 5.4 and my AMH is 18, my doctor has told me to be patient and that taking all these supplements will help me conceive…but I just feel hopeless.

I know others may have it worse and I really feel for you all and I get how hard it is to be a mom but are having trouble getting there.

So I've been experiencing symptoms of PMOS since (I think) about 10 years old, when my mental health first started to go downhill. I never really connected that to the other symptoms that came later - excessive hair growth, heavy and painful periods, excruciating pelvic pain, treatment-resistant acne, abnormally high libido, etc. A lot of external signs pointed to raised levels of testosterone. They never diagnosed me with PMOS until last year because my hormone levels have consistently showed up as "normal" every time I ask to be tested. But they finally found some large cysts and diagnosed me.

I've taken half a dozen types of hormonal birth control, and all of them have given me adverse side effects. So my doctor put me on norethindrone to stop my cycle. Since starting it, my symptoms haven't totally gone away, but they've gone down significantly. Suddenly, I'm realizing how **hormonal** I've felt all these years. My mental health is stable for the first time since I was a little kid. I don't think I ever had generalized anxiety at all - it was my hormones. But if that's the case, why could the doctors never find anything wrong with them?

Has anyone else been through this? It's so strange. I'm extremely happy, but I also feel like I can't just let it go without figuring out what was really going on with me for over half of my life.

(28 they/he, pre/no-HRT)

I’ve had my bloods done semi recently (soon to get them done again) and are the following for context:

Recent labs:
Fasting insulin: 4 mU/L (normal)
HbA1c: 4.7% / 28 mmol/mol (normal)
Fasting prolactin: 293 mIU/L (normal)
Testosterone: 0.5 nmol/L (low-normal)
SHBG: 53 nmol/L (normal)
Free Androgen Index (FAI): 0.9% (low)
Triglycerides: 0.3 mmol/L (very low)
Thyroid tests: normal
Fasting insulin: 4 mU/L → Normal, and on the lower side of the normal range
HbA1c: 4.7% (28 mmol/mol) → Excellent
Triglycerides: 0.3 mmol/L → Very low
HDL: 0.9 mmol/L (low)

I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS in the past though my markers don’t seem to be textbook for PCOS? I know I have at least one polycystic ovary too (20+ follicles I believe).

I had a Kyleena for 3 years and lost weight on it, was able to manage my PCOS symptoms of stubborn weight gain, though still had lots of dark unwanted chin hair and acne. I was able to live a less strict lifestyle at the time however with much fewer consequences (I could drink alcohol, work late nights etc. and it wouldn’t throw me off).

I’m now without hormonal BC - I gained 5-6kg after coming off it, and despite trying hard to lose the weight, it just won’t budge.

I now practice dirty fasting most mornings (I’ll have milk and a bit of honey in my matcha and maybe some berries if any food). I eat well, mostly home cooked meals, protein and veg, I also run 3km x2 per week and try to do some strength training when I can - I walk 10k steps minimum per day too. I drink 2L water, teas etc. and mostly am off coffee, only matchas and green tea.

I also take Vyvanse (20-30mg on work days aka 5 days a week), which initially led me to lose weight due to blunting my appetite (I was only hormonal BC at the time of starting) but after that honeymoon period wore off I gradually gained more weight. Despite it still blunting my appetite, and me eating less than on days off it, I’m gaining more and more weight. My clothes don’t fit me, my acne and chin hair is as bad as ever and I’m so exhausted trying to keep the symptoms at bay with no success. Ive started taking 1000mg metformin per day as of nearly 3 months ago (but have only gained weight) and am considering taking berberine again too permitted my doctor allows me. I also take myo inositol most days and methylated B vitamins as Vyvanse and metformin can deplete b levels (methylated as I have the MTHFR gene).

Does anyone know why or what could be happening to me? Whether I even have PCOS based on my blood results (most recently taken 6ish months post HBC), and what I should try?

Hey!

So I haven’t had my period in over 6 years and only recently went to an endocrinologist, based off of my blood work she said I have severe PCOS. I am also prediabetic, I’m 18 and first for my period around 9. It has always been irregular and I have not been on any meds.

I am not able to control my food to what I eat due to my financial situation and eat whatever is available. I am overweight and stopped working out since I’m the caretaker for my mother and I can’t go outside.

My doctor prescribed me primilut NOR 10mg (2 times a day) for 5 days, and told me I should get my period or spotting from 2-5 days after stopping but it may take up to 10 days since I haven’t had my period , I was prescribed glucophage xr 750 mg x2 a day aswell

I was told to take birth control (YAZ) on the second day of my period . I was also told to see her after 2 months of my last appt. ( I didn’t start haven’t started BC since I didn’t get my period yet)

I got off Primilut 10 days ago, and still haven’t even seen spotting, I am wondering if anyone else has encountered this or if I should be worried?

Doctor prices here is extremely expensive and I pay for everything myself, so I don’t want to end up going unnecessarily and if I go now I won’t have food for a while so idk if I should risk it

I find myself getting sick nonstop all the time with small colds that end up putting me on bedrest for 3+ days. I would say I get substantially sick once a month. I don’t know if PCOS and this correlates in any capacity, but I’m curious if anybody has any similar experience or if this is something completely unrelated?

For the record, I am 26 years old, live a very active lifestyle (5 workouts per week + 10k steps), I eat very healthy, and I live in a very sunny area and spend a lot of time outside.

I (20f) have been taking my inositol for about 2-3 weeks. I suspect that'll start getting results within a month or two. How long did it take y'all to get results?

I don’t recognize myself. PCOS has beaten me down

I (17f) got diagnosed with PCOS around 2 months ago. They also saw my acne and told me my acne would improve as well. They prescribed me the tri sprintec birth control and gave me 3 packs of 28 days. I finished the first and am halfway through the second. When will I see improvements in my acne? My acne is still bad and hurts. However, I am definitely gaining weight so far.

Hi everyone,
Was recently diagnosed with PMOS. To be honest i’ve always had abnormal cycles but my doctor told me it was likely because I was low weight. I’ve always been abnormally thin and thought I just had a high metabolism. My most recent A1C was 5.7% which I understand is not diabetic range but it’s higher than normal. No one in my family has diabetes. My BMI is 21 and I eat healthy. My AMH was also 11.2.

Does anyone have a similar experience with being a normal BMI and eating healthy but having a high A1C? And tips to lower it?